A major international sting has resulted in 35 arrests and $3.7 million in assets seized in New Zealand, and is being described as "illicit globalisation".

More than 900 charges have been laid as part of Operation Trojan Shield, with arrest warrants put into effect across New Zealand yesterday.

The operation employed tricking criminals into communicating via an FBI encrypted app, called ANOM .

Detective Superintendent Greg Williams says he can't thank the FBI enough.

He says New Zealand is a small country and we have to build Five Eyes relationships with partners across the world - because of their capability for stunning work.

He told Heather du Plessis-Allan that it is a "significant" operation. 

"Across the world, Operation Trojan Shield will have a massive impact across trans-national crime."

One of the operations has been running since 2018. 

Across the ditch, Australian Police have seized more than $45 million in cash and assets, along with 400 firearms.

More than 200 people have been arrested.

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